Hundreds of Jakarta Residents Move to Plant Food Together

Photo: Special

JAKARTA - In the midst of the challenges of climate change and increasing pressure on urban food systems, building food security is not only about the availability of food ingredients, but also how to create an environment that is able to support sustainable food production.

Departing from this spirit, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government continues to strengthen the development of urban agriculture or urban farming as one of the strategies for building food security while creating a greener, more productive, and sustainable urban environment.

Through collaboration between the DKI Jakarta Provincial PKK Movement Team, the Food, Maritime and Agriculture Directorate (KPKP), and the Environment Service (DLH), the "Plant Raya Together with Jakarta" movement was held again and reached its peak on Friday (19/6). This movement is part of a series leading up to the DKI Jakarta Simultaneous Raya Harvest involving hundreds of urban farmers in five administrative city areas.

PT East West Seed Indonesia (Ewindo) or commonly known as Cap Panah Merah is participating again through the provision of superior horticultural seeds, cultivation education, and technical assistance to encourage people to get closer to the process of producing food independently. The support is given so that more people can use the available land, no matter how small, as a productive family food source.

Throughout 2026, the Together Plant Raya Movement will be carried out gradually in five administrative city areas with various flagship horticultural commodities that are tailored to the characteristics of each region. South Jakarta started planting in February with F1 Honey Pumpkin, followed by Central Jakarta with F1 Martha Tomato, North Jakarta with F1 Palguna Watermelon, East Jakarta with F1 Bonanza MB Sweet Corn, and West Jakarta on June 19 with F1 Honey Pumpkin and F1 Alisha Yellow Melon as the closing of the Raya Planting series this year.

Before the planting was carried out, the participants received education on good cultivation techniques, the use of narrow land, and the use of quality seeds. Assistance was then carried out periodically until harvest through monitoring in 42 sub-districts to ensure that the plants grow optimally.

Vice President Director of PT East West Seed Indonesia, Isak Heryawan said that Ewindo's involvement is part of the company's commitment to supporting various initiatives that encourage people to get closer to agriculture.

"We believe that city food security begins with environmental resilience and community involvement in it. Urban farming is not only about growing food, but also providing access to fresh and healthy food, as well as building a greener, healthier city that is resilient to climate change challenges. Therefore, we appreciate the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government which continues to encourage urban farming as a movement together with the community," said Isak, in his statement, Monday, June 22.

For Jakarta, urban agriculture is not only a solution to strengthen food security, but also part of efforts to build a city that is more resilient to the challenges of climate change. Gardens that grow in the yard, RPTRA, green alleys, to the roof of the building are able to add productive green space, improve air quality, and shorten the food distribution chain.

The spirit that food security begins with environmental resilience is an important foundation in the development of urban farming. The more space is used for planting, the greater the contribution to a healthy environment and a city that is more resilient to future food challenges.

Public enthusiasm for this program continues to increase. This year, as many as 562 urban farmers participated, consisting of 177 groups in South Jakarta, 148 groups in East Jakarta, 127 groups in West Jakarta, 58 groups in North Jakarta, and 52 groups in Central Jakarta. Collaboration between the government, community, and various partners is expected to continue to strengthen the culture of planting as a joint movement in building a more green, healthy, and sustainable urban food security.